According to Global Water Partnership, water governance relates to the range of political, social, economic and administrative systems that are in place to develop and manage water resources and the delivery of water services at different levels of society.

In contrast to water management (in narrow terms), water governance is characterized by non-technical means towards an end that are oriented to human element rather than to structures. The human element of water supply and water use systems comprises both individual water users and water suppliers.

Proceeding from the principle of division of functions of water supply and water use + irrigation & drainage, water governance covers water supply governance and water use + irrigation & drainage governance.

Governance and management functions in IWRM

Author: Mirzaev N.N., SIC ICWC

Advisory Documents and Guidelines

OECD Principles on Water Governance (2015)